Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill requiring individuals to prove eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Highlights:

• Requires the individual seeking unemployment benefits to provide information and documentation of eligibility when filing the claim, whereas existing law requires the employer to demonstrate proof of ineligibility for unemployment benefits (Secs. 1 & 2).

• Authorizes the Arizona Department of Economic Security to deny unemployment benefits if the individual has the ability to provide documentation regarding eligibility and fails to provide that information (Sec. 2).

• Requires employers to provide all relevant documentation to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, when requested, to be used to determine the individual’s eligibility for benefits (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that if the employer provides documentation that an individual voluntarily resigned or abandoned employment, the burden of proving eligibility for unemployment benefits shifts to the individual (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the employer's documentation of ineligibility for unemployment benefits can be in the form of written or verbal statements (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an ineligible individual from accruing additional benefits until all penalties are paid in full to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text